Intel Xeon W-3175X gets delidded

Significantly lower temperatures

Not long ago, Intel unveiled the unlocked 28 core Xeon W-3175X processor. This CPU supports six-channel DDR4 memory and clock speeds of up to 4.30GHz out of the box. Meanwhile this processor has been listed online with a price tag of 4'000 Euro, which makes this probably the most expensive chip that he's ever delidded.

With the current 9th generation of their Core chips Intel is using solder interface material again to allow for an optimized heat transfer between the die and the heat spreader. In the case of the Xeon chips things are still different and there is a standard thermal compound being used. Der8auer has removed the integrated heat spreader (IHS) from the Xeon W-3175X, which required a bit more force compared to what’s required in the case of the mainstream desktop chips.

According to his tests, there is a significant improvement before and after the modification. Running Cinebench R15 with the Xeon W-3715X set to 4.30GHz at 1.15v and new TIM the chips runs on average 9 degrees cooler than before. This is definitely an improvement over the default value and it will allow for more overclocking headroom. Nonetheless we don't recommend trying this at home.

Although the entire process looks relatively easy, der8auer has been chopping on a chip that costs 4'000 Euro which is really something and delidding a CPU is always a risky task. Apart from that it can be kept in mind that delidding is not covered by the chips warranty plan.